In pictures: Bangkok protests

Protests against the Thai government have escalated after protesters occupied several government buildings in Bangkok.

Thousands of anti-government demonstrators raided the foreign affairs and finance ministries on Monday, and besieged several other ministries on Tuesday.

The protests are a response to the government's attempt to pass a controversial amnesty law that would have facilitated the return of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin, a former prime minister himself, remains a deeply polarising figure in Thai politics since his overthrow in a military coup seven years ago, and is seen by many as the government's real decision-maker from his exile in Dubai.

This is Thailand's biggest wave of protests since tens of thousands of Thaksin supporters took to the streets in 2010.

The demonstrators currently in the streets have said they aim to topple the government.

The protests are led by Suthep Thaugsuban, former deputy prime minister, who currently remains on the grounds of the Finance Ministry in defiance of an arrest warrant issued against him.

Anti-government protesters listen to a speech in the Ministry of Finance\(***)s complex, which was occupied on Monday evening.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Protesters ransacked the Ministry of Finance in hopes of toppling the government.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A demonstrator holds a sign against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in front of the Ministry of Finance.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Police guard the walled road leading to parliament to prevent the entrance of anti-government protesters.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

An anti-government protester displays a picture of the Thai king, Bhumibol Aduljadej, during protests in the Ministry of Finance.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A policeman participating in the protests addresses the crowd during the siege of the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A woman yells at the police during anti-government protests in downtown Bangkok.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Signs bear messages against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, near the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A street vendor sells whistles and other gadgets during anti-government protests in Bangkok.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Anti-government protesters are given free food during the siege of the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Anti-government protesters surround the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Security forces protect the Ministry of Interior in downtown Bangkok.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

An anti-government protester stands in the rain during the siege of the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Anti-government protesters listen to a speech in the Ministry of Finance\(***)s complex, which was occupied on Monday evening.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Protesters ransacked the Ministry of Finance in hopes of toppling the government.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A demonstrator holds a sign against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in front of the Ministry of Finance.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Police guard the walled road leading to parliament to prevent the entrance of anti-government protesters.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

An anti-government protester displays a picture of the Thai king, Bhumibol Aduljadej, during protests in the Ministry of Finance.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A policeman participating in the protests addresses the crowd during the siege of the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A woman yells at the police during anti-government protests in downtown Bangkok.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Signs bear messages against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, near the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

A street vendor sells whistles and other gadgets during anti-government protests in Bangkok.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Anti-government protesters are given free food during the siege of the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Anti-government protesters surround the Ministry of Interior.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

Security forces protect the Ministry of Interior in downtown Bangkok.

Vincenzo Floramo/Al Jazeera

An anti-government protester stands in the rain during the siege of the Ministry of Interior.